Pacific Gaming Pty Limited v Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Limited [2001] FCA 1636

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pacific Gaming Pty Limited v Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Limited [2001] FCA 1636 COPYRIGHT – copyright in written specifications for electronic gaming machines – whether copyright infringed by competitor's written specifications – whether finding of copying was available on the evidence – whether pairs of specifications were objectively similar – whether primary Judge applied the correct test to determine similarity – whether literal comparison required. COPYRIGHT – whether data stored on competitor's EPROMs reproduced written specifications in "a material form" – no finding that the data allowed the written specifications or a substantial part of them to be reproduced – whether evidence available to support such a finding.

Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), ss 10(1), 13(1), 14(1), 21(1A), 31(1) Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000, Schedule 2 Copyright Amendment Act 1984 (Cth), s 3(g) SW Hart & Co Pty Ltd v Edwards Hot Water Systems (1985) 159 CLR 466, cited. Computer Edge Pty Ltd v Apple Computer Inc (1986) 161 CLR 171, considered. Clarendon Homes (Aust) Pty Ltd v Henley Arch Pty Ltd (1999) 46 IPR 309, cited. Ibcos Computer Ltd v Barclays Mercantile Highland Finance Ltd [1994] FSR 275, cited. Ancher, Mortlock, Murray & Woolley Pty Ltd v Hooker Homes Pty Ltd [1971] 2 NSWLR 278, cited. Eagle Homes Pty Ltd v Austec Homes Pty Ltd (1999) 87 FLR 415, cited. Data Access Corporation v Powerflex Services Ltd (1999) 166 ALR 228, cited. Autodesk Inc v Dyason (No 2) (1993) 176 CLR 300, considered. Blackie & Sons Ltd v Lothian Book Publishing (1921) 29 CLR 396, cited. Autodesk Inc v Dyason (No 1) (1992) 173 CLR 330, cited. Ainsworth Nominees Pty Ltd v Andclar Pty Ltd (1988) 12 IPR 551, followed. Telstra Corporation Ltd v Desktop Marketing Systems Pty Ltd (2001) 181 ALR 134, cited. Roland Corporation v Lorenzo and Sons Pty Ltd (1991) 22 IPR 245, cited. J Lahore, Copyright and Designs (1996). H Laddie, P Prescott and M Vitoria, The Modern Law of Copyright and Designs (1995). Copyright Law Review Committee, Computer Software Protection (1995). PACIFIC GAMING PTY LIMITED v ARISTOCRAT LEISURE INDUSTRIES PTY LIMITED N 1204 of 2000 SACKVILLE, FINN & KENNY JJ SYDNEY 26 NOVEMBER 2001